NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute got their second straight victory on Saturday night defeating the Tyler Junior College Apaches in the Wool Bowl, 20-14, thanks to stellar defensive play.
Corey Quarterman got the scoring started for the Broncos on a pick-six on the very first Apache play from the line of scrimmage. Quarterman followed his blockers for a 48-yard rumble to pay dirt, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 11:24 to go in the first.
That 7-0 lead remained until the waning minutes of the second quarter when Tyler tied the game with exactly one minute left, a one-yard rush by Apache running back Kevon Thompson capping a six-play, 61-yard drive.
The Apaches received the second-half kickoff and returned a short squib kick 45 yards for great starting field position at the NMMI 27. They scored seven plays later to take a 14-7 lead with 11:04 to go in the third.
The Broncos finally again put points on the board in the fourth quarter – a Roland Tyson 45-yard field goal – to shrink the lead to 14-10 at the 13:33 mark.
NMMI then took the lead after the Apaches muffed a punt return, the ensuing fumble covered up by Bronco defensive back Zach Philion inside the TJC 10 yard line. The Broncos needed just one play to punch the ball into the end zone and regain the lead with Fred Jackson scoring from eight yards out; 17-14 NMMI, with 8:10 to go in the game.
Tyson put the last points up in the game, nailing a clutch 47-yard field goal with 1:20 left, to extend NMMI's led to six, and, after the Bronco defense forced a turnover on downs, the 20-14 victory.
Fred Jackson led the rushing attack, collecting 60 yards on 18 attempts with a touchdown.
NMMI's defense held Tyler to under 200 total yards of offense on the night. They also forced Tyler to turn the ball over four times with three interceptions and the fumbled punt.
Head Bronco football coach Joe Forchtner was definitely pleased the Broncos were able to earn their first conference win of the season, and especially happy with how his team prepared and played on the defensive side of the ball.
"The defense knew what their jobs were," said Forchtner. "They did a really good job on knowing where to be and it let them play fast. They have matured a lot over the season. We were in a similar situation earlier in the season where we were in a close game and the opponent scored just before the half. In that game we fell apart in the second half, where here we did not."
The Broncos next game will be against Cisco College in Cisco, TX on Oct. 5th at 3:00 PM CDT. The next home game for the Broncos will be against Navarro College on Oct. 12th, with kickoff slated for 2:00 PM MDT at the Wool Bowl.